About Essential Habitat

Essential Habitat is a Northern California based consulting and design firm dedicated to energy efficient, carbon neutral and sustainable construction, implemented through the Passive House standard. We provide energy modeling, consulting and/or design services to architects, builders, developers and property owners interested in developing new Passive House projects or retrofitting existing buildings. Our focus is on precise performance optimization and value engineering for efficient, healthy, comfortable, successful and beautiful buildings. Our skill set spans technical aspects of building science and construction to the art of design. A profile of the firm is available for download here.

About The Principals

Graham Irwin has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years. He has a degree in physics and management from Claremont McKenna College with additional studies in engineering and architecture at Harvey Mudd College and UC Berkeley, and an extensive background in software development.

Graham is actively involved in Passive House advocacy, promotion and education. In addition to project-based work, he advises government agencies on energy policy and lectures regularly. He is a USGBC LEED AP, a Build It Green Certified Green Building Professional, and a licensed architect and licensed general contractor in the state of California.

Alison Kwok is an architect, an educator, and a researcher. She received her PhD and M.Arch from the University of California, Berkeley and currently teaches at the University of Oregon.

Alison's architectural experience focuses on health, comfort, net zero energy design, and the integration of architecture, engineering and allied fields at the earliest stages of the design process. She became a Certified Passive House Consultant (CHPC) in 2009, is also a USGBC LEED AP, and board member of the Passive House Institute, US (PHIUS).

The Passive House Standard is the most rigorous building energy standard in the world. Consultants, projects or building components that have obtained the right to carry the logo have committed themselves to design excellence and the Passive House energy performance criteria.